The Institute for Women’s Policy Research studied the status and well-being of women across the states in 2004, and gave Idaho poor grades – mostly D’s and F’s – for measures including social and economic autonomy, employment and earnings, reproductive rights and more. Idaho ranked dead last in the nation for the percentage of women in managerial or professional occupations, at just 24.6 percent, and the state ranked 40th for women’s earnings compared to men’s. Overall, the institute found that more of Idaho’s women work than most other states’ women, but they’re not getting good jobs or good pay. The state ranked well in one area, however: Having a state Women’s Commission, like 41 other states. Now, Sen. Joyce Broadsword, R-Sagle, is proposing eliminating that commission. You can read my full story here in today’s Spokesman-Review.

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